DRIVERS lives are being put at risk because council chiefs are ignoring flooding issues on Millport' roads.

Community councillors made the claim this week as they issued a desperate plea for the council to address the problem.

College Street, the area next to the Field Studies Centre, the corner after the Watersports Centre and areas on the inner circle have all been identified as problem areas - even after short spells of heavy rain.

Despite asking the council to act, community councillors told the News that little has been done to resolve the recurring issue.

Member Graham Wallace said: "We have written to the roads department on a number of occasions to alert them to the problems on the island.

"It is totally unacceptable how much of an issue deep surface water has become at certain points.

"The council claims they have no money to fix any of these problems but it is getting to the point were it is becoming dangerous, especially with the darker nights coming in.

"People's safety is being put on the line."

When at its worst, water is also flooding the pavements, leaving pedestrians unable to traverse blackspots.

Community councillor Crawfurd Gillan added: "The problem at College Street seems to be that the drains just can't cope.

"They get clogged with sand and whatever else and this means the water just pours down the street and floods the bottom of the road.

"You need to stop to let cars pass because the flooding is so deep you simply can't go through it.

"It can't be acceptable to have that amount of surface water.

"The council needs to get a roads engineer or someone equally qualified to just come to the island and take a run around when it is wet. They will see for themselves how bad the problem is and perhaps we will finally have it addressed."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the drainage problems that the area experiences during times of intense rainfall.

“At this time of year issues are made worse by falling leaves, which prevent flow into gullies. We are looking at temporarily bringing in an additional gully wagon to assist with clearing to help alleviate these seasonal drainage problems.

“We are also carrying out further investigations in the area and will make any repairs where necessary.”